We have received from him. Thou must not hcn
With empty hand, who hither broughtst to me
Such noble presents and so fair a train. [Exeunt.
Thee, Venus, gods and men obey,
And universal is thy sway ;
Need I recount the powers subdued by love?
Neptune, who shakes the solid ground.
The king of Erebus profound,
Or, the great lord of all, Saturnian Jove ?
To mortals let the song descend,
To pity our afflicted friend.
And soothe the injurd Deianira's woes :
For her the angry rivals came.
535
For her they felt an equal flame,
535
For her, behold ! the doubtful battle glows.
535
In dreadful majesty arrayed,
535
Affrighting sore the fearful maid.
Uprose the horned monarch of the flood ;
He who through fair ^tolia's plain
Pours his rich tribute to the main :
A bull's tremendous form belied the god ;
From his own Thebes, to win her love,
With him the happier son of Jove,
The great Alcides came, and in his hand
The club, the bow, and glittering spear ;
Whilst Venus, to her votaries near,
Waved o'er their heads her all-deciding wand.
Warm and more warm the conflict grows.
Dire was the noise of rattling bows.
Of front to front opposed, and hand to hand ;
Deep was the animated strife
For love, for conquest, and for life ;
540
Alternate groans re-echoed thro' the land :
540
Whilst pensive on the distant shore
540
She heard the doubtful battle roar,
540
Many a sad tear the hapless virgin shed ;
Far from her tender mother's arms.
She knows not yet for whom her charms
She keeps, or who shall share her bridal bed.
